Tree Donation Made In Official`s Memory

A tree for an oak of a man ... Whatever else could be said about former Boynton Beach City Councilman Joe de Long, he was persistent in his beliefs and persevered whenever something mattered to him.

De Long served many years as a councilman and as a mayor in Boynton during the last two decades. Last week, after de Long died, the Boynton City Council voted unanimously to donate $100 to the city`s tree memorial fund in his memory.

De Long battled anyone who disagreed with him over his long political career, though he mellowed during his last two years in office.

When it seemed appropriate, he would take on the press. During de Long`s first election victory over then-Boynton police Sgt. Bob Ferrell, the veteran of many political wars became enraged over press coverage of the campaign.

He stopped talking to one reporter and ignored the others.

At election headquarters after the results were announced, de Long went up to the one reporter he was still semi-talking to and announced, ``This was a stunning victory for me and a devastating defeat for the press.`` Then he laughed heartily and left.

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The Mayor at the Wheel ... Ocean Ridge Mayor Jon Shudlick was not around these parts in the latter part of the week. The amiable, opinionated politician was in the Orlando area, looking to buy a new stock car to feed his racing habit.

Shudlick, according to his wife, was also planning to participate in a stock- car race while there.

When Shudlick gets bored with stock-car racing, according to one reliable source, he heads to the place where the real action and excitement is -- Ocean Ridge Town Commission meetings -- where a gavel occupies the hand that on weekends holds a gear shift.

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Where Have All the Politicians Gone? Two former Lake Worth City Commissioners, Andy Andrews and Ron Exline, may be down, but they are not out.

Having been turned out by the voters last March, Andrews and Exline have thrown themselves into their respective businesses but have not lost that desire to once again serve the people.

``I`m doing what I said I would be doing,`` Andrews said. ``I`m laying low and waiting. I still read (four newspapers) on a daily basis. That keeps me busy.``

Exline said that once politics gets into your blood, it`s hard to get it out. ``I have received phone calls from some people urging me to run for another office, and I am considering that, but I haven`t made any decision yet,`` Exline said.

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Separate But Equal? ... Recently elected Boynton Beach City Councilwoman Dee Zibelli says she and her husband, Cye, a photographer, have worked out the perfect arrangement.

``I stay out of his photography and he stays out of my politics,`` she said.

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Meet Jim Peterman ... a former priest who forsook the calling to get married, Peterman proudly says he is a three-time Vietnam veteran, a member of the Green Berets with the 101st Division.

Since then he has given away cheese as head of the U.S. Agriculture Department`s Surplus Food Program, served as town administrator in the town of South Palm Beach and worked as training director for Rinker materials.

Currently he is chairman of the board of a volunteer organization trying to raise money for the hungry and helpless in Palm Beach County, by sponsoring a program whereby people hold hands along Federal Highway on May 25 at 3 p.m.

What`s next? ``I`m trying to find my niche in society,`` said Peterman, who is in his 50`s.